Last Blog from Beach Camp 09

We have just finished out last worship service with Matt Edwards. What an amazing few days it has been listening to him preach. He has put forth God's word in a way that everyone can understand. He hasn't shied away from giving our students the hard lessons we all need. He has really challenged our students all week to put others before themselves. Hold them to it when they get home. Tonight he preached from Luke using the woman who washed Jesus's feet with her tears and hair. He taught our students about God's forgiveness no matter what we have done, so after some hard preaching earlier in the week. He finished up with an equally strong message about God's love and forgiveness for all of us. There has been a strong evangelical push every night, and I know of at least one student from our group who has accepted Christ this week, and I think that many of our students have made other decisions. Please be sure to visit with them about that aspect of camp when they get home.

After the wonderful exhibitions of synchronized swimming, we enjoyed this morning (take a look at the pictures of it) we settled down with some free time this afternoon. Some went swimming in the gulf for the last time. Others just enjoyed the beach. A few sponsors and students took the two mile trek to town for souvenirs. It is a lot easier walking back on the beach than down the highway. We had a barbecue chicken dinner, worship, and now students are in their small groups for the last time. After that we have to clean our dorm, load up and head out. The busses should be here around midnight. As you can tell from the pictures, it may take us that long to pack up and clean up. Our students have always left the dorms cleaner than we found them. The staff here was amazed at what a great job your students did cleaning up. They said most just walk out and leave it. Some of the staff are not Christians, so this is another way we can witness to them.

Today's pictures are mostly early morning work out, synchronized swimming, worship services, and free time on the beach. We are looking forward to being home Friday night. See you then!